Annual Survey Counts 1,300 Homeless N.H. Residents

A January count shows roughly 1,300 individuals were homeless in New Hampshire — the lowest number in the past five years.

The numbers come from an annual, one-day count of homeless individuals. Fewer people were in shelters on the day of the count than last year. The report also shows 26 percent fewer people were temporarily living with friends or family compared to last year.

Thirty percent of people recorded as homeless self-reported having a mental illness, while 34 percent suffer from substance abuse. Eleven percent of people in the survey were veterans and 25 percent were chronically homeless.

Hillsborough County had the largest number of homeless people, with 326 individuals and 98 families in shelters. Another 61 individuals and three families were not in shelters.

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